In the middle of the forest, where light barely seeped through the leafy canopy, accurately gauging the time before nightfall proved challenging. Only a few cracks in the foliage allowed vibrant green hues to paint the leaves, creating a beautiful display. The tranquil melody of the wilderness permeated the surroundings. Standing amidst this serene backdrop, I listened to the reverberating branches as I walked. My destination was a young boy with caramel-coloured hair and brown eyes. He remained tied to a tree, his head slumping, still under the influence of the sleeping poison I had slipped into his tea.
I slowly approached him, timing my arrival perfectly as he began to awaken. "So, you've regained consciousness, scum," I stated, my eyebrows furrowing with hate.
The man surveyed his surroundings and, after a few moments, his eyes locked onto me. An annoying grin spread across his face before he uttered, "I knew it. You 'protectors' really are bastards, aren't you, Carys? Where's your friend, Anwir the Brute? It seems you're afraid of anyone stopping your abuse of my village." Knights seemed to possess the audacity to taunt their captors, as evidenced by this man who continued to badmouth us even in his own helpless predicament.
The rage within me intensified, and I could feel the blood vessels in my head pulsating.
[I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You! I'll Kill You!]
In a fit of rage, I rushed to the defenceless man...
"Hyaaaaah...!" I bend my knee back, and I kick him with all of my might. I felt my heel smashing against his ribcage, and I hit so hard that even I, the one who threw the hit, felt the surge of pain from the impact. I grunted in my mind, but I tried to ignore the pain and I say, "The fuck are you talking about?"
I tied him up to the tree to ask why he was being so disrespectful to the acting captain, but his continued mockery led me to think about torturing the rude man before me. I called this boy rude because of these actions: Speaking in a nasty tone and looking at the Acting Leader with hostile glares. This boy was invited to come inside our group's base of operations out of kindness, yet the tone that he had when speaking to the Acting Leader was one of hostility and mockery. And even worse, he was naturally provocative. This was shown when after a second I attacked him with a kick and he responded: "Ahhhh... Hehe! You think that weak kick would affect me?"
I respond to his provocations, and with a cold expression, I say, "I'll put you in your place. I'll make you pay for disrespecting my friend!"
The boy writhed and shook, desperately attempting to free himself from the tight grip of the tree. Observing his futile struggles, I couldn't help but let out a laugh. Who wouldn't find amusement in witnessing someone squirming like a worm resurfacing during a rainstorm?
The corners of my lips slowly rise as I saw the pathetic sight, and in a moment of prideful ego, I mock the squirming boy, "It's useless, I tied you up pretty tightly, so you won't escape from this!"
The boy glares at me; his eyes looked as if they were burning as he looked at me. I was surprised that he glared at me like that, but in a moment my amusement turns to cold rage. I raise my hand to slap the boy, but I stop. I had a feeling that something absurd would happen, for what I felt was my senses telling me to jump back.
"AHHHHHHH-!" My words were interrupted. No, overpowered by the yelling of the boy. 'Green light?' I see why he was a knight now: he was a prodigy in qi enhancement.
As he continued yelling, I felt the ground shaking around the general vicinity, and he stood up, the whole tree following him. 'What?! How's this possible?' Was the only thing on my mind as I was shocked by the display of superhuman strength.
I stare at the boy in front of me, someone who was of a similar age to me with evident fear in my eyes, and blood poured out of his eyes as if they were tears. I take shallow breaths, and he wipes the blood that blocked his vision and frees himself from the tree trunk that hung from the back. "Haa...haa... I take you seriously, so be prepared to have a brutal beatdown, Carys!" The boy readies a stance.
'That power... If I resume battle with him, I will be knocked out on the first blow, even if I blocked the weakest of his hits. No, calm down, Carys. His breathing is laboured, so he's gonna have trouble with trying to follow you.' I was so surprised by his strength that I forgot why I tied him to the tree in the first place.
"To think you can do that monstrous display of strength, even with a fractured ribcage," I say with a calm face, at least, an expression that mimicked a calm one. I take a deep breath, and I read my stance. My feet were positioned to be able to move sideways or backwards; I wanted to prioritise dodging because if I get hit by him I'll probably get too injured to fight back.
My lower body starts to glow faintly with blue light, and I observe the boy's reaction.
'Not moving... Tch! Wait for a second, I've heard that Qi Enhancement can't be used consecutively, then it's my time to strike!' I rapidly dashed forward.
Bam! The sound of my fists colliding with a solid object echoed through the surroundings. In a split second: three hits came out. The speed of my attacks was so fast that I only saw my arm swinging once, even though I attacked three times.
However, after my quick barrage of punches. "Ahhh..." I grunted and felt pain in my abdomen, but it wasn't the repercussions of using Qi strengthening that hurt me...
It was the boy in front of me that had caused me pain.
'My attacks were imperceivable, yet he dodged them? How?! Not only dodge them but also counterattack?' My brain goes into overdrive from the shock. His punch wasn't necessarily damaging, but it was powerful even without the strengthening. 'That's a knight's power, huh?'
I took a step back to calm myself. 'He's skilled... Simple attacks won't work, huh? If that's the case then I'll overwhelm him.' I took a step forward, but as I do, he takes two steps back. He was keeping his distance.
"Coward!"
"It's called being tactical, fools like you are just dispensable pawns. Why? It's because your fighting skills are as bad as a drunkard's."
"Taunting an opponent is a foolish mistake." -Fwiip...!- Just the friction caused by my fist and the air made a whistling sound. It was a testament to the speed of the punches I swung out. Yet even with the impossible speed...
"How can't I hit you?!" My eyebrows furrowed as I asked the boy, he had a cocky grin on his face but his eyes were observant.
"Your arm isn't long enough to reach me," he answers.
Truth be told, the distance between us was longer than my reach, but that doesn't answer my question. "How can you even react to them?" I ask another question.
His intense green eyes observed me. It was an uncanny feeling that made me feel like I was being read like a book.
He slowly opens his mouth, "..." Though his mouth opened, he did not say a thing.
His serious face made me feel like something was off. Just a few minutes ago he was smiling as if he was mocking me... The silence made me feel unnerved... -...Badump...- My pounding heart loudly beats... "Answer me, Ely!"
He gives a twisted smile and laughs before he says, "Why should I tell you, fool?"
My enhancement's duration was beginning to run out, and I felt desperation grasping my chest tightly. It was getting harder to breathe. The qi I poured out to my upper body will soon be all used up.
Qi enhancement was a technique only knights could do, yet I was lucky enough to be taught how to do it by the head of the protectors. It was a technique that allowed humans godlike strength. However, this power boost was only temporary. Depending on the user's proficiency, Qi enhancement can last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. I wasn't taught the theory behind its use, but I thought that the ability to strengthen myself would make me unbeatable, even against knights. But I was wrong, and I realised that fact too late...
'I messed up... I underestimated him. No, even if I took him seriously from the start, I would have lost... If that's the case, then I should try and rush him down!' When I tried hitting him before, he moved efficiently to dodge it, so the best option is to go right next to him and attack before he can even blink.
I pour Qi into my lower body. I hadn't used enhancement on my legs, so it felt like my whole leg was melting on the inside.
"Haaa..." I exhaled. My legs glowed brightly with blue light, and I felt the bones in my leg creak. I cock my right knee, and Ely readies himself, his green eyes looking at me like a hawk that had found its prey. Though, even that wouldn't help...
I dashed forward with my left leg, and the sensation disappeared.
A bellowing thunderous sound erupted from my original position.
The air around me exploded as I moved.
My right leg was ready, and I launched a kick toward Ely just a thousandth of a second after dashing towards him.
After a hundredth of a second, I felt my shin crack upon making contact with his flesh...
After a tenth of a second, Ely was sent flying from the force of my kick.
After a full second, I moved 50 meters forward from my original position. Ely was propelled away by the impact, crashing into the trees and bushes.
As my legs glided across the ground, a strange realisation washed over me—I couldn't perceive the pain I had anticipated. In fact, I couldn't feel anything at all, from my thighs down to the balls of my feet.
"At least that boy is dead..." I say to myself, I didn't care whether or not I could walk anymore. My wish has been granted, and I discovered a new application of Qi Strengthening.
Knowing that I can get even stronger, I was happy.
Knowing that I killed that boy, I was elated.
"KU-KUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
A triumphant, maniacal laughter surged from deep within me, bursting forth like a demented symphony of triumph. Each laugh carried a twisted satisfaction, a dark melody that resonated with my delusions of grandeur.
"Who's dead, exactly?"
And like all delusions, its foundation began to crack and crumble, revealing the impending weight of reality that was steadily closing in.
The demented cracks of laughter that had erupted from my mouth abruptly ceased, as if they had never existed. Instead, the voice I heard belonged to the boy I thought I had killed. It trembled with strain, yet maintained a steady rhythm.
"So," he uttered with an eerie calmness, "how did those fleeting moments of bliss feel?" The sound of approaching footsteps enveloped my ears, and my heart quickened with an overwhelming sense of dread.
"What? How?!" I yelled out, my voice filled with disbelief, as I swiftly turned my head toward his direction.
"What's with the 'H—How?' Are you alright? It appears as though you've just seen a ghost," Ely retorted mockingly, his voice dripping with scorn.
As my head snaps towards the direction of his voice, I see him limping towards me, his eyes devoid of emotion and his lips curved into a chillingly ambiguous smile. The emptiness in his gaze sends shivers down my spine, as if he's harbouring a secret or an unsettling uncertainty that he's not willing to reveal.
"How did you survive that?" I yelled out once more. I tried to move back, but both of my legs had no response. Realising that both of my legs had no response, I turn away and begin to crawl away from the boy behind me.
The boy chuckled for a bit, and he sighed as he said something that seemed impossible.
"Have you not witnessed the radiance in my eyes? Just as how every limb emits a subtle glow when infused with Qi, so do my eyes! It is a matter of sheer simplicity to evade an attack when it appears to move at the leisurely pace of a snail!"
"What? That's impossible!" The words he uttered were utterly outlandish. Enhancing the eyes had always been deemed an insurmountable feat by my teacher due to the immense strain it places on the mind. And yet, here stood this teenage boy, defying all known limitations. Despite my disbelief, I knew what he said was most likely true. Qi was a power all knights had basic control over; it was the reason my teacher knew of Qi in the first place. He used to be a knight before forming the protectors.
My face contorted with the realisation that this boy, Ely, was a genius who surpassed my teacher in battle. I had always regarded my teacher as the strongest, yet I couldn't deny that this inexperienced knight was stronger. Fear gripped me as I realised the gravity of my mistake. Worse, he might call out to his friend, and they could massacre the group because of me. I could accept my demise, but not the deaths of those I cared for—those who had raised me, fed me. Now, my mistake might cost them their lives.
"Judging from that look in your eyes, I can tell you've given up on life," he said with a tone that showed neither kindness nor wrath, and he continues speaking, "—Very well, I'll kill you in a bit, but do answer my question first."
"P—" I try to speak, to plead so that he wouldn't kill those I cared for, but he punches me in the stomach before I could say a single word. noticing the absence of any Qi-enhancement on his arms, it was obvious he didn't strengthen himself with Qi, but that made no sense, for the sound of my ribs creaking and cracking reverberated in the quiet forest. It was painful, it was as if a war hammer swung down my torso and crushed me. If his power even without Qi was this great, then no one from the group will even be a threat to him.
"Quiet. You answer my questions, and I will kill you painlessly." His words were incongruous with his youthful appearance. From what I've heard, Ely had only been knighted yesterday, and yet his lack of remorse was evident.
"To think a kid like you would hold my life like this—And how you speak of killing so casually, we have a word for people like you, Demons," I speak with seething resentment. I regretted attacking him in the first place. If only I wasn't a fool and I gauged his strength, if only I killed him from the very start, even before I tied him up.
With a look of dissatisfaction, he raises his fist and swings down, Ely aimed for my gut once more, the anticipation of pain and fear gripping me in a vice-like hold. The air seems to thicken around me, my heartbeat pounding in my ears, as the impending impact looms closer. Time slows down, each passing moment stretching out like an eternity, intensifying the dread that coils in the pit of my stomach. I brace myself, knowing the numbing pain that will follow, my body tensing in anticipation of the inevitable blow.
"—AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"What did I just say?" He sighs, his voice displaying coldness, before he asks a perplexing question, "—Now, why are the protectors leeching off of the village?"
"What? Leeching? Are you out of your mind? Leeching off of the village? What on earth are you talking about?" I exclaimed, my voice portraying a mix of disbelief and anger.
"DON'T YOU DARE LIE!" In the intense moment, Ely's face contorts with anger, believing my confused questioning to be a dishonest attempt to evade the his question.
"What are you talking about?" I grow perplexed even more by his response. The group "Protectors" was a group that were given accommodations to stay in the village, yet this knight who we've never seen before dares to say we were leeching off of the village?
"Are you a fool? They practically pleaded for us to remain here! We used to be a band of nomads, wandering from one settlement to another, until we stumbled upon this village. We shielded THEM from a demon onslaught merely because we happened to be nearby, and as a result, they urged us to stay! They even offered us food for our protection! It's the reason our group is even nam—" I shouted to the boy standing beside my injured, motionless form. He responded with a disdainful glare, and he began relentlessly pummeling my body in a fit of anger.
From my head, to my crushed torso, and even my unresponsive lower body, he struck endlessly and without mercy.
"DON'T—!" -Thwack!- A blow to my head, my sight begins to get foggy...
"YOU—!" -Thwack!- A blow to my chest. A visceral sound reverberated through the forest, similar to the sound of meat being smashed with a tenderiser. That disgusting sound covered the forest and was accompanied by his grunts and furious yelling, as well as the sound of air being forced out of my lungs.
'STOP! PLEASE STOP! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! JUST KILL ME!' I tried to say that. But my lungs are too damaged. Tears flow from my eyes, he has to end my suffering. 'PLEASE JUST KILL ME!!!!!!!'
"DARE—!" -Thwack!- Yet he did not stop. He wouldn't stop. With my blurred vision, I could see his eyes glowing green. It meant that he was using his Qi to slow his perception of time. WHY? There's no battle, so why is he using it?! Why can't you just kill me. He needs to hear me speak, so that he can kill me, but my voice wouldn't come out. I focused a few seconds that lasted like eternity to control my voice box, and it works as I produce the sound: "U—" I felt it, my control of my voice box was there. I yell out, "STOP! I'VE DONE NOTHING WRONG JUST KILL ME!!!" But reality wasn't so kind, the words that I said were all in my mind. "—UWAAAAAAAAAAA..." The laboured voice similar to a haunting exhale was the only sound that actually came out of my mouth. Even my own body couldn't help with my suffering.
"LIE—!" -Thwack!- He screams once more, right next to me. However, they only sounded like distant echoes. Soon the sensation of insurmountable pain disappeared, leaving only the shock of the blow being felt, yet despite that he continued to strike.
"TO—ME!" -Thwack!- He continued to yell, yet his words seemed like whispers now. A stinging sound ringing in my ear replaced that rage filled voice, though. I soon close my eyes, my whole body was now unable to feel.
***
I open my eyes, and I stand next to a smithy as the bustling sounds of town echoed through the streets. In the bustling shopping district of the town, the scene comes alive with a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds. Cobblestone streets wind through rows of timber-framed buildings, their facades adorned with colourful banners and signs. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meats wafting from open-fronted bakeries and taverns.
Market stalls line the narrow streets, showcasing a plethora of wares. Peddlers enthusiastically beckon passersby, their stalls overflowing with an array of goods. Shimmering bolts of richly dyed fabrics hang from wooden frames, displaying a spectrum of vibrant colours. Skilled artisans showcase their craftsmanship, offering intricately carved wooden figurines, delicate pottery, and gleaming metalwork.
The lively chatter of townsfolk mingles with the clinking of coins as eager customers haggle for the best prices. Children dart through the crowd, their laughter echoing in the air as they marvel at the assortment of toys and trinkets on display. Musicians stationed at street corners serenade the scene, their melodies floating on the breeze, adding a whimsical touch to the ambiance.
Yet even in that lighthearted and lively atmosphere, there was me in the front of the smithy, my tears falling down from my eyes. I didn't have a good childhood, my father left me and mother. But even without my father, my mom loved me. She worked everyday to feed me, to make me smile. She made the first couple of years in my life the best. She gave me everything I wanted: A loving smile, good food, and a wonderful friend. However, that smile of hers didn't last long. A few days after my 5th birthday, she stopped smiling, she stopped feeding me, and my friend had vanished without a trace.
When I saw Mom the next day, an overwhelming sense of comfort and familiarity enveloped me. Seeking solace in her arms, I moved forward to embrace her, hoping that the embrace would transport me back to the carefree moments of our past. And in that moment, she reciprocated with a warm and loving hug, as if mending the fragments of my shattered worldview that had formed in the wake of my birthday.
But within the embrace, her words resonated deeply and sent a chill down my spine. "Carys, be a good kid, and stay here next to the smithy, okay?" Her words echoed in my mind, haunting me like a foreboding shadow. Suddenly, the weight of her request settled upon me, stirring a mix of confusion and unease.
The once-mended fragments of my perspective now began to crack once more, revealing a sense of restriction and uncertainty. The smithy, a place of heat, sweat, and hard labor—It was a place that filled me with dread, from the sounds of a hammer striking steel, to the grimy black surroundings from the dirt that had stuck.
However, even in that horrible place, I waited. I waited for her to come back, and yet she never did. The only one who came to approach me was a well dressed man, who observed my head to toe, as if he was confirming something.
"We've found it." The man politely speaks to a girl, judging from her wonderful outfit, her prim and pristine look, it was obvious that she was of nobility.
"Are you talking about me? I'm sorry, but if you are, then please don't call me 'it,' my mom told me that that's what you say when referring to objects." I speak, my voice filled with innocence and confusion.
"Did your mother love you? Did she feed you well?" the man asks, his tone probing. The girl quietly observes, her gaze fixed upon me.
"Yes, she does! I'm waiting for her! She's fed me amazingly delicious food. She's the best!" I eagerly praise my mother, the one I've been longing for.
"Fuhuhuhuhuhu—Wonderful, this one's got fat in him," the girl speaks with an arrogant tone. The man nods in agreement, addressing her as "young lady." He remarks, "Indeed, she's raised this one well. You can tell from his well-formed eyes. I say that the money we paid for him was quite a worthwhile investment!"
"Thank you!" I say with gratitude, my voice filled with a mix of genuine appreciation and innocence. It was a compliment I haven't heard in a while, but I didn't fully grasp its meaning. No, even if I did, I wouldn't have known that he was referring to me as if I were a mere piece of merchandise.
The man smiles at me, and in my naive innocence, I couldn't comprehend the true meaning behind his expression. Little did I know at that time, but as time went on, I began to piece together the unsettling truth. It became evident that he found my childlike innocence to be enticing, a quality he sought after. It was a realisation that struck me hard, for I was oblivious to the fact that my own mother had made a transaction, selling me off to these people.
10 minutes later:
"Let me go!" I screamed in desperation, my voice filled with fear and anguish. But my pleas fell on deaf ears as the man's grip tightened around my wrist, refusing to release me.
He forcibly pulled me towards a waiting carriage, my struggles futile against his overpowering strength. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, the realisation of my helplessness sinking in. The girl who had been present wore her characteristic frown. There was also an unsettling smile playing at the corners of her lips, casting a disturbing shadow over the situation.
After that...
***
I opened my eyes, greeted by the sight of a familiar ceiling. It was the ceiling of our group's sleeping quarters, and I found myself lying on my bed. As I blinked away the remnants of childhood memories that had stirred my emotions, I noticed the dampness in my eyes. I reached out to wipe away the tears, but to my dismay, my arm remained unresponsive, as if disconnected from my will.
"Haaaaaaa—?" I tried to cry out. My throat felt constricted, as if tightened by an invisible grip. Every attempt to speak sent a sharp twinge of discomfort through my neck. It was as if there was a blockage, inhibiting the proper functioning of my throat. Each time I tried to articulate words, a raspy, strained sound emerged, barely audible and accompanied by a sharp pang of pain. It was a frustrating and unnerving sensation, leaving me with a sense of vulnerability and helplessness.
"Carys! You're alive!" Anwir exclaimed, his voice filled with relief and surprise. It became apparent that he had been by my side since the moment I regained consciousness, patiently waiting for me to wake up.
"—HAAAAA!(Master Anwir!)" With a desperate gasp, I attempted to speak, but only a hollow exhalation of air escaped my lips. The sound was devoid of any meaningful words, leaving me frustrated and unable to convey my thoughts to Master Anwir.
"I miss you too, Carys," Master Anwir's voice carried warmth and genuine concern. "You've been asleep for a few hours, and your body needs time to heal. You don't have to worry about speaking to me right now. Just focus on resting and getting better. I'll be here, watching over you." Though his words were comforting, it wasn't like I can do anything other than rest.
My body remained immobile, trapped within an invisible cage. Even the slightest movement was impossible, the pain in my neck a constant reminder of my limitations. It felt like sharp blades slicing through my flesh, tormenting me with searing agony. I resisted any urge to shift or twist, fearing the intensification of this torturous sensation. The realisation of my paralysis deepened my frustration and helplessness. I yearned to regain control, but the pain served as a deterrent, anchoring me in this confined state. Each passing moment amplified my longing for freedom, while the unbearable pain kept me prisoner.
Unable to do anything else, I closed my eyes and drifted into slumber. The darkness enveloped me, offering temporary respite from the frustrations and limitations of my immobile state. In the realm of dreams, I sought solace and fleeting escape from the harsh reality I faced...
***
In the early afternoon, Me and Eldrick were covered in armour as we rode on horseback and ventured along a winding trail through a sunlit forest. The clip clop of Hooves echoed amidst the rustling leaves, creating a harmonious rhythm. Towering trees formed a natural canopy overhead, casting patches of golden light on the forest floor. Birds serenaded their journey, while wildflowers adorned small clearings. The riders paused, savouring the tranquil beauty before continuing, captivated by nature's embrace.
However, in that relaxing atmosphere, Eldrick asked a question, "So," he begins to speak, his voice was authoritative as he continues, "Did you feel remorse for crippling that man?"
The question he gave left me annoyed, but I couldn't entirely fault him for his cold demeanour considering my earlier actions. The memory of what transpired resurfaced vividly in my mind—I had mercilessly attacked Carys, particularly as he was defenceless. I had convinced Eldrick and Anwir that I acted out of self-defence, painting Carys as the aggressor. That was the truth, and that the blue-haired young man had tied me to a tree, kicked me as I was tied up, and made an attempt on my life. The only reason I relented and spared Carys was due to the intervention of Eldrick and Anwir, restraining me from harming Carys any more. Also, during my conversation with Anwir after I had calmed down, I came to realise that my suspicion of them was more or less false, and that I acted like a scumbag to Anwir earlier even though he was so welcoming.
I furrowed my brow in response to the question, taking a moment to consider my words before responding, "I'm not proud of the extent of his injuries, but it's important to remember that he tried to kill me. His kick was incredibly powerful, almost lethal. If anyone else had been in his path, they might not have survived. No, it's guaranteed that they would be dead."
Eldrick exhales out a sigh, and he replies, "I know. It's just that, they've been protecting Lawas for half a year now, right? It's just messed up that you didn't even try to be on good terms with them when you first met Anwir. It was the whole reason I went around town so soon, anyway. I only ran to the forest when one of the workers told me that you and the blue-haired man were missing. Thankfully I ran as fast as I could, because the lord would've heavily punished you if you killed him. Though, I know that you did it for self-defence."
I sighed a breath of relief when Eldrick started to agree with me. Judging from a full day of being with Eldrick, he was the chivalrous type, so he was always thinking about the job. However, as evident with some of the passive-agressive comments we hurled at each other, he also had a mischievous side that sought chaos. Thankfully, it was a side that only showed itself during casual situations.
After half an hour of horseback riding, we were finally to our destination. Located on the outskirts of town, a majestic manor emerges amidst a lush forest. Its elegant facade commands attention, displaying intricate detailing and timeless charm. The stone walls weathered by time, large windows framing rays of sunlight, and a sweeping driveway lined with vibrant flowers create a captivating scene. Surrounding gardens offer a sanctuary of beauty, while the nearby forest whispers of hidden secrets and natural allure. Judging from that wonderful architectural design, it was obvious that this manor belonged to the Feudal Lord.
It was a manor adorned with beautiful features, it's clean garden, the wide yard, and the wonderful watch towers all showed that this manor was far better than everything what I have seen so far, the manor of the Feudal Lord's easily surpassed ours. The mere sight of it made we say, "That's a beautiful estate..."
"Ours can look like that if we renovate it," Eldrick added.
"I'm not really that interested. Actually, I'm somewhat fearful of what Mr. Adler will say to us." I say with the feeling of dread encroaching my heart.
"Us? You mean you? I didn't do anything to incur the wrath of the Lord Adler." Eldrick said to me coldly.
After a while, we approached the gate of the yard, and a well armoured knight came forward to us and said, "Welcome, Sir Ely, Sir Eldrick. The Lord requests for you two to be summoned towards the living room."
"..." I glanced at Eldrick, a sly smile creeping across my face. It was a grin that conveyed a mix of amusement and confidence, almost bordering on laughter. The expression emerged as a response to Eldrick's unwavering assurance that he had done nothing wrong in the past. As we rode on horseback towards our destination, that self-assured look on his face prompted my mischievous reaction.
Holding my laughter, we tie our hoses to nearby posts as we head inside the beautiful manor of Lord Adler. -Creak!- The wide single door slowly opened as maid opened the door for us.
I stepped into the manor and was immediately captivated by its elegant interior. High ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers illuminated the spacious halls. Luxurious furniture, including plush velvet couches and ornate wooden tables, added a touch of opulence. The rooms were filled with the subtle scent of fresh flowers, and large windows provided stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It was a harmonious blend of refined living and natural beauty, a testament to the Lord Adler's exquisite taste and wealth.
I walked slowly, letting my eyes absorb the beauty of this place even more. Though, it seems like Eldrick gave me a look of superiority as he observed my reaction to the Lord's Manor. The maid opens the door to a grand double door, and we came to the Living Room.
he living room exuded opulence, with plush velvet seating, polished marble floors, and crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow. Elaborate wooden cabinets showcased fine art, while a grand fireplace added both warmth and charm. The room's ambiance was completed with the fragrance of fresh flowers and soft background music, creating a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. In reaction to the observable use of flowers, I think to myself, 'To think that the Lord would love his estate to be filled with the stench of flowers. It does smell good, though...'
And in the middle of the painterly room, there was the subject, Lord Adler. He had some wonderful clothing on, and his posture as he seated himself on the couch was impeccable.
"Good afternoon, Lord Adler!" Both Me and Eldrick greet him at the same time. It was obvious that we practised this earlier as we got closer and closer to the manor.
"Sit down, both of you." His voice was low, yet it wasn't too deep. It was a voice that sounded strong, yet also comfortable. It was a voice that suited him to absolute perfection.
"Now, I've already heard what happened earlier. Ely, you almost killed someone a part of that group. Is that not the case? I recommend you befriend them, for they will help in keeping that village of yours safe. They're a group of retired knights, at least, the leader of the group used to be, his name's Keon. As I stated yesterday, the village of Lawas borders on our Kingdom, and the Demonic Kingdom's. The Demonic Kingdom apparently has natural rock formations near its border to Lawas that act as a maze, so it can slow down the time for when they attack. Not to mention, their most populated area is on the opposite direction of the border that their kingdom and our kingdom share. I recommend you do your best in making that village into a fortress that would be able to act as a checkpoint for our Kingdom's infantry to rest on. Judging from the words of a few of our King's eyes, the demons sent out scouts from to check the place out. They have pale skin, and a ghastly look with their lack of facial features."
Eldrick blinked twice with the last sentence. He chuckled and asked, "My lord, did you say pale skin, and a lack of facial features?"
"So you have encountered one yesterday. If that's the case, then—Go, now! Avoid civilian casualties, and make sure to NOT underestimate them. I wish for you to be safe, my knights." Lord Adler's voice resonated with concern and determination as he addressed his knights. Lord Adler was many things. However, an uncaring leader was not one of them.
Me and Eldrick begin to run our horses, and we cut a small bit of our arms and we set aside our horses' manes. All horses of knights were given small holes on the side of their necks so that they would be able to pour the blood of their owners in them. Why? It was because of the fact that Qi enhancement could work on others, too. But the thing is that it required blood that is Qi enhanced. It was why both Ely and Eldrick infused their blood with Qi first, before pouring it onto the holes on their horses' necks.
"Hyaaaa—!" We immediately make our horses gallop at full speed. Now that we were at full speed and our horses were enhanced with Qi, Glory and Flash galloped at an insane speed of 80 meters per second. with this, we could be back in the village after 5 minutes.
***
I woke myself up from my nap, as someone aggressively taps my shoulders. "Yeah? What is it?" I ask my subordinate.
"Mr. Anwir, some demons have invaded the village." He says.
"Have the civilians been evacuated yet?" The whole reason Keon named our group the [Protectors] was to be the guardians of the village. Also, we had to make sure that they wouldn't become a casualty.
"Where are the knights?" The two knights should be a big help, it could help with clearing every single demon that could be in the vicinity.
"They're not here." The man says with hesitation.
"It doesn't matter, let's go!" Since Keon wasn't here, it means I have to step up so that he won't be disappointed when he comes back from his expedition.
The sound of carnage covered the entire village, yet I had to focus on the centre of the village. Judging from what I could see, the numbers of the Demons here surpassed a hundred. Though that didn't sound much, I can only kill 5 of the standard pale demons before I have to recharge, and I was the strongest person in my group currently. Worse, half of the group were still from an expedition when they followed Keon to survey the wildlife of the forest that span hundreds of kilometres from the village.
There were only about 10 of the Group that stayed. However, Carys, one of the stronger teammates was unable to help because of his scuffle with that knight, Ely.
I raised my spear and yelled at the pale demons that were in my sight, "Come here, you filthy white things!"
One of them lunged at me, and I quickly use the length of my spear to its advantage by preventing from getting close towards me. However, these pale demons were somewhat durable, so my spear thrust barely pierced it. I swipe down the demon's legs and I trip it. I then thrust down to pierce it.
"One down, 94 more to go..." Knowing that trying to conserve my Qi was not gonna help me, I decide to infuse my left arm with Qi, and I threw out a spear thrust towards another demon that tried to approach me. This time, with my Qi enhancement, I could pierce through its tough skin, and I killed it in one blow.
"Mr. Anwir!"
"What is it, Gale?" I answer.
"Mr. Ryan, he's in danger! His house is burning down, so he tried to save his stockpile of elemental slime, but he's being chased around by demons right now!"
"Did Ryan get senile ever since that psychotic son of his came back?" I begin to run as I make a blindsided comment about Ely Rainvor, the one who heavily injured my little brother. But enough wasting time about old grudges, I have to save Ryan.
Sweat begins to trickled down my face as I ran towards Ryan, who was being chased by a dozen of Demons. "Ryan! You fool! Come here!" I yell at him and I pierce through the head of the demon that was closest to him.
Last until reinforcements comes, I have to do it... I'm going to have to try my hardest.
I close my eyes, trying to let go of all of the chaos that is happening.
As I focus my Qi, a powerful energy surges through my body, originating from the core of my being. This energy resonates with every cell, permeating my muscles, bones, and organs. Gradually, a radiant glow emanates from my skin, starting from my feet and extending upward, engulfing my entire body in a faint red light except for above the neck.
With ten thrusts of my spear, four demons are killed in an instant. But even with my enhancement, I couldn't deal with the sheer numbers and a demon swings their arms, and I block.
-Snap!- The handle of my spear is broken.
A single hit from these monsters would result in the death of anyone.
"Anwir, are you okay?" Ryan asks, he trembled in fear as he stood behind me.
"Yeah, can't you that it's the handle that got snapped, not me?" I said with a mocking tone towards the fool who stood behind me. However,I can't mess around here, because there is still four more...
"Haaaaa—!" I stab with the spear tip multiple times, and I kill a single one.
-Clip-clop!-
"Huh, This one ain't too bad!" I laugh to myself, not noticing...
"Behind you, Anwir!" Ryan yells out.
"Huh," I look behind me, and I say, "Oh n—"
But before the demon could even hope to swing, a knight in chainmail armour cuts the demon in half, as if it never had a thick skin.
"Ely!" Ryan incessantly calls out.
"Wait for a bit, we'll kill all of them." He says with a cold expression. with what he did earlier, I thought that he would be hot headed, but it seems like he was more restrained than I thought.
Ely disappeared from my sight in almost an instant as the sound of sharp metal rending through flesh reverberated throughout the whole village.
***
10 minutes later,
In a short amount of time, the approximate number of 100 demons have all been disposed of. As shown by the corpses corpses of the pale demons that decorated the village, as if they were flowers in a garden.
After that, I was asked to say something about the battle, but I didn't know what to say, so I asked Anwir to do it for me in exchange for him and the protectors' armour being fixed.
We agreed to the terms and attached a wagon to our horses, loading the protectors' weapons and armour in the back. 'Hey, Ely,' Eldrick called out. His voice has mellowed out compared to the authoritative tone he had when we went to Lord Adler's manor.
"What?" I asked, hoping he had something valuable to say, although I was usually the one to offer worthless remarks. It's surprising we're somewhat close already, actually. I looked towards him, his eyes focused on the trail as he steered the wagon.
"Lord Adler suggested turning the village into a checkpoint, right?" His words reminds me of Lord Adler's previous words. Thinking about it, Lord Adler really was a respectable noble. During the times I've seen him when I still was training as a knight, I mostly saw him act polite with others. Even better was the fact that he cared for his servants. If it weren't for his respectable demeanour back then during my training, then the actions and word choices designed to make him be satisfied with me wouldn't be present.
Enough chatting about the greatness of the Feudal Lord, I had to answer Eldrick's question. "Yeah, he definitely said something like that." Was my reponse, it wasn't a bad response, but it felt like Eldrick gave a strange look aimed towards me whenever I spoke in a hyper-casual way.
"I think we should plan on making Lawas village into a fort. Or at the very least a settlement that can slow down the invasion of demons." He said with a determined look on his eyes. It seems that he was taking the protection of the village seriously. The corners of my lips raised a tiny bit as I began to understand just how much effort that he was putting to be able to protect Lawas, it was honestly a great thing to know that Eldrick cared for my childhood village that much.
Eldrick continues to speak, "We should hire a few blacksmiths to be in the village. What do you think, Ely?" He briefly turns his gaze towards me before he returns to carefully watching the trail. It seems that Eldrick valued my opinion.
My eyes quickly snapped towards his direction as I get out of my trance. "Yeah, I think so, too," were the words that I uttered. Sadly, my opinions wasn't of much value. I don't know what existing professions that could help in helping with that except for more soldiers. You have to remember, I was just another villager before I became a knight.
"..." After my uninspired agreement with his statement, the conversation died down. The abrupt stop of the conversation made it a bit more awkward.
"Hmmm? You're quiet..." Eldrick's voice broke the silence, his tone filled with a hint of amusement. It seemed that he had interpreted my lack of a more detailed response as a question or hesitation.
"If you are wondering whether or not I know a blacksmith, then yes, I do," Eldrick continued, his words accompanied by a knowing smile. He seemed confident in his ability to provide a solution to the inquiry that had remained unspoken.
"What's their name?" I ask, judging from his confident expression, he was most likely talking about a good blacksmith. It was this confidence that made me interested in who Eldrick was talking about.
"He's a dwarf by the name of Santiago," Eldrick explained, his voice tinged with excitement. "But unlike normal dwarves, he stands at the height of a normal human!" He paused for a moment, his eyes sparkling with anticipation, as if relishing the opportunity to share this intriguing detail.
"Uh—huh..." Was the only thing that I could utter. A dwarf, I've heard of them, and I heard that they were particularly short, so hearing the detail that he said intrigued me.
"..."
After that, we became silent. I was far too focused on the fact that that were dwarves that tall. And as for Eldrick, it seemed like he had nothing else to talk about, so we both decided to keep the silence until we reached the town.